Teachers of Tomorrow Marks 20 Years of Excellence, Celebrates 85,000+

Teachers of Tomorrow (ToT), the nation’s leading teacher preparation program, is proudly celebrating two decades of empowering aspiring educators and shaping the future of classrooms across the country.

Since its founding, ToT has helped over 85,000 individuals earn their teaching certifications—many of whom have gone on to receive prestigious recognition, including three recent “Texas Teacher of the Year” awardees. These educators embody ToT’s mission: to inspire, educate, and transform lives.

“Teaching is truly the ‘Role of a Lifetime,’ and the impact of a single educator is immeasurable,”
said Dr. Heath Morrison, CEO of Teachers of Tomorrow and a former teacher and superintendent. “On average, a teacher influences over 3,000 students throughout their career, which means our graduates have already touched millions of lives. That’s millions of reasons to celebrate!”

Makenzie Caufield, a ToT educator in Reno, Nevada, and the program’s 2025 National Teacher
of the Year, shared, “As a third-grade teacher at a Title 1 school, I am deeply committed to being a positive and consistent presence in my students' lives. One of my goals is to provide the most effective instruction possible so that every child can access quality education and personal growth.”

Commitment to Excellence in Teacher Preparation

Teachers of Tomorrow is a nationally recognized educator preparation program committed to delivering high-quality, standards-aligned training to aspiring teachers across the U.S. Approved by state education agencies in each state it serves, the program offers a flexible, practical path to the classroom. Its online curriculum—led by certified instructors—is aligned with national frameworks such as Quality Matters, InTASC, and ISTE, and is regularly reviewed to remain evidence-based and relevant.

Teachers of Tomorrow holds full accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) in Texas and Indiana and earned near-perfect scores in a recent Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) review. In Florida, it is ranked as a #1 state-approved Educator Preparation Institute (EPI), further underscoring its effectiveness. “These results reflect our commitment to quality and the preparation of educators who are ready to inspire the next generation,” added Dr. Morrison.

Increasing Access to Teaching

Teachers of Tomorrow takes pride in expanding access to the teaching profession—supporting
thousands of candidates from diverse backgrounds, industries, and life experiences. As fewer
new teachers enter the field through traditional college pathways, ToT helps fill the gap with an alternative route tailored for career changers. The program’s online, asynchronous format, flexible pricing, scholarships, and district partnerships make the transition to teaching more accessible.

ToT also actively recruits for high-need subject areas, including special education and STEM, where certified teachers are in greatest demand.

Looking Ahead

As ToT celebrates its 20th anniversary, Dr. Morrison reaffirmed the organization’s role in
addressing the national teacher shortage. “There’s no greater challenge in education today than
ensuring every student has a highly qualified teacher. Alternative certification programs like ToT
are instrumental in attracting and preparing new educators. Last year alone, more than half of
new teachers in Texas entered the classroom uncertified—a crisis that directly impacts student
learning and teacher retention. We’re working hand-in-hand with school districts to change that.”
Looking forward, Teachers of Tomorrow remains committed to building a highly qualified and
diverse teaching workforce, driven by the passion and impact of its educators.

ToT currently offers certification in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas—and plans to expand into additional states where teacher shortages are most urgent.

About Teachers of Tomorrow

Teachers of Tomorrow (ToT) is deeply committed to creating a tangible social impact in education. As a portfolio company of The Rise Fund, a global impact investment fund focused on driving positive social and environmental change, ToT actively seeks opportunities to give back and foster lasting progress. The program has prepared over 85,000 certified teachers nationwide and is the nation’s leading Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Learn more at www.teachersoftomorrow.org.